How to Write the Loyola Marymount University Essays 2024-2025
Loyola Marymount University gives all applicants the opportunity to respond to an optional prompt. This prompt asks you to elaborate on why you are interested in LMU and/or why you’re interested in your chosen major.
Since LMU receives thousands of applications from academically strong students, your essay is your best chance to stand out. For this reason, we recommend responding to the essay even though it’s optional. In this post, we’ll go over exactly what the prompt is asking for, and we’ll explain how to craft an engaging response to it.
Read this Loyola Marymount essay example from an accepted student to inspire your writing.
Loyola Marymount University Supplemental Essay Prompt
Share with us why you are interested in LMU and/or why you chose your specific area of study or major. (500 words, optional)
This prompt asks you to write a “Why This College?” and/or “Why This Major?” essay. These common essay archetypes require you to explain why Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is the right fit for you and how your chosen major aligns with your interests and goals. You can choose to focus on one of these aspects or combine both into a comprehensive essay; we recommend the latter!
Also, while this prompt is optional, we highly encourage you to respond as it will demonstrate your interest in LMU.
Here’s one way to approach this prompt:
Understanding the Prompt
- Why LMU: Discuss the aspects of LMU that specifically appeal to you. What programs, resources, or aspects of the campus culture align with your goals and interests? Think beyond general features, like location or prestige, and focus on unique features of LMU.
- Why This Major: Explain why you are passionate about your chosen major. What experiences or interests led you to this field? How do you hope to pursue this major at LMU?
Brainstorming Questions
- What specific programs, faculty, research opportunities, or extracurriculars at LMU excite you?
- How do LMU’s values and mission resonate with your personal beliefs or experiences?
- Have you had any experiences, such as internships, classes, or hobbies, that inspired your interest in your major?
- How do you plan to use your major in the future, and how will LMU help you achieve those goals?
What Makes a Good Response
A strong response will:
- Demonstrate Knowledge of LMU: Highlight specific aspects of LMU that attract you, such as unique academic programs, faculty, research opportunities, or campus culture. Show that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in what LMU has to offer.
- Connect Personal Experience to LMU: Make a connection between your personal experiences, values, or goals and the opportunities available at LMU. Explain why LMU is the best place for you to pursue your aspirations.
- Show Passion for Your Major: Explain why you chose your major and what led you to this field. Discuss any relevant experiences that have shaped your academic interests.
- Be Specific and Personal: Use detailed examples that are unique to you. Avoid generic statements that could apply to any school or student.
Hypothetical Student Examples
- Julia has always been passionate about social justice, influenced by her volunteer work at a local homeless shelter. She is drawn to LMU’s commitment to social justice and is excited about the opportunity to major in Sociology while participating in LMU’s Pam Rector Center for Service and Action. Julia could write about how LMU’s mission aligns with her values and how she plans to use her education to make a difference in her community.
- Raj is an aspiring filmmaker who grew up watching classic Hollywood movies with his grandfather. He’s impressed by LMU’s renowned School of Film and Television and its connection to the Los Angeles film industry. Raj could discuss how he plans to take advantage of LMU’s industry connections, internships, and mentorship opportunities to hone his craft and tell stories that reflect his cultural heritage.
- Maya is passionate about environmental science and sustainability. She has spent her high school years conducting research on climate change and is excited about LMU’s Environmental Science program and the work of Professor Tom Ford, whose work in the Coastal Research Institute aligns with her interests. Maya could write about how she hopes to contribute to LMU’s sustainability initiatives and continue her research in environmental science.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being Too Generic: Avoid vague statements about LMU’s location, size, or reputation. Instead, focus on specific details that demonstrate why LMU is the right fit for you.
- Listing Resources: Don’t just list LMU resources without explaining how they connect to your goals and interests.
- Overusing Clichés: Avoid clichés like “I’ve always wanted to help people” or “I fell in love with the campus.” Instead, show how specific experiences have led you to LMU and your chosen major.
- Ignoring the Prompt: Make sure your essay clearly addresses why you are interested in LMU and/or your major. Don’t veer off topic or focus too much on one aspect if the prompt asks for both.
Good and Bad Examples
Good Example:
Growing up in East Los Angeles, I witnessed the deep inequalities in our education system. My high school, though full of passionate students, struggled with underfunding and limited resources. This disparity fueled my passion for social justice, particularly in educational equity.
Volunteering as a tutor at a local after-school program solidified my desire to pursue Sociology with a focus on educational inequality. Working with students who were eager to learn but lacked support made me determined to attend a university that aligns with my commitment to social justice.
Loyola Marymount University’s mission to educate “the whole person” and its Jesuit values of justice and service resonate with me. I’m particularly drawn to LMU’s Sociology program, which emphasizes community-based research. The opportunity to conduct undergraduate research on urban education disparities piques my interest, and is a key reason I’m excited to attend LMU.
LMU’s Center for Service and Action (CSA) also stands out as a hub for engaging in meaningful community service. I’m eager to join the Alternative Breaks program to gain a broader perspective on global educational issues and explore how different communities address similar challenges.
Finally, LMU’s connections with local nonprofits and advocacy organizations will allow me to expand my impact beyond campus. I’m particularly interested in interning with organizations like the Los Angeles Education Partnership to support underfunded schools and advocate for educational equity.
Ultimately, LMU offers the ideal environment for me to grow as a leader and advocate for change. I’m eager to immerse myself in a community that values diversity, service, and social justice, and to contribute my experiences to the LMU community.
Why It’s Good:
- Personal: The essay connects the student’s past experiences with their future goals, demonstrating why LMU is the right place to pursue their passion. The student’s background and volunteer experience clearly explain their interest in Sociology and educational equity.
- Specific: The student’s background and volunteer experience clearly explain their interest in Sociology and educational equity. The student also mentions LMU’s community-based learning model, the Center for Service and Action, and the Alternative Breaks program, showing substantial knowledge of and alignment with LMU’s values and resources.
- Strong Connection to LMU: The student effectively links their goals to specific programs and opportunities at LMU.
- Focused and Passionate: The essay remains focused on the student’s commitment to social justice and how LMU is the ideal place to pursue these interests.
Bad Example:
I’ve always wanted to go to college in California, and LMU’s beautiful campus and strong academic reputation make it the perfect choice for me. The friendly community and small class sizes really appeal to me, as I believe I’ll be able to form close relationships with my professors and classmates. I’m particularly interested in majoring in Psychology because I enjoy helping people and learning about how the mind works.
I’m also excited about LMU’s commitment to service, especially the Center for Service and Action (CSA), where I hope to volunteer and make a difference in the local community. The fact that LMU is located in Los Angeles means there will be many opportunities for internships and job prospects after graduation, which is very important to me. Overall, LMU seems like a great place to spend the next four years and prepare for my future career.
Why It’s Bad:
- Too Generic: While the essay mentions LMU-specific resources like the Center for Service and Action (CSA), it doesn’t explain how these opportunities connect to the student’s specific goals or interests. The essay could apply to many other schools with similar resources.
- Surface-Level: The student mentions Psychology as a major but provides a very shallow reason for choosing it, without any personal experiences or specific interests that led to this choice.
- Misses the Mark: The focus on general aspects like the location, campus beauty, and job prospects after graduation fails to convey why LMU is uniquely suited to the student’s aspirations. The essay does not demonstrate a deep understanding of LMU’s values or how the student will contribute to the community.
By following these guidelines, you can craft a compelling essay that shows LMU why you’re a great fit for their community and how their resources align perfectly with your academic and personal goals.
Where to Get Your Loyola Marymount University Essay Edited
Do you want feedback on your LMU essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool, where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.
Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!
